About Us 

Real Estate is forever. It’s buildings and projects are for many generations.

It is such a tangible asset you can see, feel and enjoy. We are blessed to be in this industry and involved in projects that contribute to how people live, work, play and pray. At Terra Virtus, our passion is to provide quality real estate development services that help you today, and reflect well on all of us tomorrow.

Terra Virtus takes your real estate project from vacant land to completion, or anything in between. We provide full service Development and Construction Management Services, including Commercial and Residential Concept to Completion Services. Here is a complete list of Services we offer.

Leadership

Jim Lavender, Owner & Operator

Jim Lavender is a third generation engineer & builder. He started his career at the young age of 16, when he gave up his summers to work as a construction laborer. Jim continued to pursue his passion while attending Michigan Technological University, where he worked as a laborer and equipment operator for Midwest Giant, Payne & Dolon Inc.

Jim graduated from Michigan Tech with a degree in Civil Engineering, majoring in Construction Management, and minoring in Economics. He immediately began working with the national building contractor, E.W. Howell, Inc. where he advanced to Senior Project Manager. At age 28, he managed construction of the $45 million Bay Plaza multi-use project in New York City.

In 1990, Jim became the Development Manager and General Contractor of the Factory Stores in Park City, Utah for Charter Oak Partners. This project received national recognition for building and opening 50 stores in only six months. It remains one of the top producing Factory Outlets today. Jim advanced to Director of Development for Charter Oak, developing retail centers nationwide.

In 1995, Jim became Principal for The Jack Johnson Company, a full service national design firm providing entitlement, planning, engineering and architectural services in Park City, Utah.  He specialized in resort and mountain development and was the Design Principal for Park City’s $120 million Deer Crest Ski Resort Development, which was a multi-county project, and advanced Jim’s decade-long working relationship with local governments.

In 2000, Jim joined Heil Construction, Inc. as President of the Utah Division.  In just 4 years, he grew this division from 5 employees with an annual volume of $5 million, to 25 employees with an annual volume of $25 million. This growth established Heil as the largest contractor in Summit and Wasatch counties of Utah, where Heil excelled as an award-winning resort builder.  Jim used his extensive development experience to expand Heil’s services to include Development Management, which became a large sector of Heil’s portfolio.  This included providing project assessment, stabilization and enhancement plans, for developers and lending institutions.

In 2007, Jim formed Terra Virtus LLC, a Development Management Consulting firm, where he serves as sole proprietor.  Jim (via Terra Virtus) has been the Development Manager of Tuscan Village, a 270-unit Active Adult Community in Lakeway, Texas, since 2009.  He oversees all aspects of the project including staffing, government approvals, product development, design, purchasing, construction, marketing and sales. 

Jim currently resides in Lakeway, Texas with his wife, Julie, of 30 years and 2 daughters.  He is active in his church and founded M.A.D. Men (Men Making A Difference), a local men’s group that completes “hands on” service projects for people in need. He has been active in The Rotary Club and Habitat for Humanity in Park City, Utah, where he served as President on the Board of Directors.

Jim and Julie have been a custom home building team for over 25 years. They have formed Terra Builders, Jim is President of construction/development and Julie leads all design and finishes of their custom homes. Julie is also a realtor and for more information about their homes visit www.JJLavender.com.